Luxating Patellas (aka Locking Stifles) in Minis

[dragonfur]

'hobbyhorse23' date='09 November 2010 - 04:54 PM' ]

Be careful with the backing. It's very, very difficult for a horse who locks, usually makes them lock, and since they can't do it correctly it really doesn't build the right muscles anyway. That is the LAST thing I'd be doing with her. If you live somewhere flat you can even get a few loads of sand or fill dirt brought in and create your own little hill like motocross people do. I find that works very well!

There is so much contradictory information out there. I've been told (and read) repeatedly that backing is the thing to do. (Symphony actually backs up with no problem--as long as she's not locked up at the time.)

My property is very flat, but there is no way to access it with a truck big enough to haul a load of sand to the pasture. There are some horse trails, though, that circle most of the way around the lake I live near (Lavon), that has a lot of up and down trails. The trails are maintained for horses (not paved), and are used frequently. That would be a good place to take her whenever I can. Unfortunately, with this time change (and the short fall/winter days), it's dark when I leave home, and dark when I get back home. That leaves two days a week (some weeks just one). Don't know how much good that will do her, but I think I'll give it a try when it's not raining.

 

[goatkisses]

I have a yearling mini gelding that has locked stifle problems... the upward fixation of the patella - not the more severe kind. He's somewhat straight behind so that and the fact that he is a mini, and young, could be a factor.

I immediately started my fellow on trail walks, which he enjoys. We go up and down my property around the trails that I've created for walking. I also have some cavaletti that I walk him over to encourage him to use his legs. My vet stated that moving is the best thing for this condition and even being in a stall at night could aggravate the condition.

I do stall my animals at night but it's a large area. I've noticed that if I provide a deeper than normal bed that the condition improves. My vet is hopeful that in my little boy's case that he will strengthen and the condition will ease.

I hope so too. My vet told me it hurts me more than it hurts my horse!

It's that Igor leg drag and the clunk that gets to me!

 

[Connie Ballard]

We had the splitting done on a gelding we bought by an Equine Orthopedic Surgeon at Rood & Riddle Hospital in Lexington this past July. This horse has upward fixation of the patella...doesnt lock up...but has a hitch or hesitation when walks...worse if stalled at night. It was a standing procedure, light antestetic, then numbed the area. He didnt use a needle to split it...used what looked like a wide scalpel, no stitches, hardly see where it was done. He had 3 days stalling, 3 days hand walking and 5 days turnout in a roundpen....which he promptly started running and bucking big-time...after the 5 days could return to driving training work.

We got him at age 2 left him turned out in a big pasture with a buddy...they played hard, ran...vegged for 2yrs...then had the split done on both his legs (Orth said do both...if only do 1...other will start hitching). After Nationals this year, turned him out with buddies and noticed he has the hesitation (hitch)...walking.

Dr. Ruggles, Orthopedic Surgeon at Rood & Riddle, had told us in July that splitting the ligament will make scar tissue build up on the split and keep it loose so it will slide over the joint and not catch.

He said if that didnt work, would need to do the cut...so have to schedule that. I was so hoping it would resolve that hitch...it keeps him from wanting to back in cart...and in hand. Dr. Ruggles said good to get it done during the off season...so will schedule it now.

I tried everything with this horse. At Equine Affaire, I talked to the top supplement companies about his problem, put him on one from Urkle Labs, kept his heels down, toes off, didnt stall him at night, good feed program, etc. I had xrays done at Rood & Riddle..(I know...overkill...but thats me...what can I say)...Ortho said his legs were in great shape, no issues in joints etc. I just hated cutting the ligaments cause he wont be able to lock his legs and stand to sleep. I asked Dr. Ruggles this week what issues might face in the future after cutting the ligaments. He said he's never had a problem with the horses he's done...but has heard of possible lameness or problems from surgery which is a risk in any surgery. So, Dyaln will be seeing Dr. Ruggles again soon.

 

[dragonfur]

I just hated cutting the ligaments cause he wont be able to lock his legs and stand to sleep.

He will be able to sleep standing up, according to the specialist I'm taking mine to. He just will have to be a bit more aware, because they don't lock anymore. Horses don't do heavy sleep when they're standing. REM sleep (which horses need, but not as much as we do) is done when the horses are lying down. Standing up is basically just dozing, and he'll still be able to do that.